Pre-sessional English course: Entry requirements

We highly recommend the Pre-sessional English courses for any international or EU student planning to study at a UK university; it is excellent preparation for study even if you have already fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course.

Students who have not chosen their main academic programme should contact the course administrators for advice about which course to choose.

If you have not fulfilled the English language requirement for your main course your offer letter should tell you which course to apply for. If it does not, the Pre-sessional team will advise you on which course is suitable for you. You can also download the Which Pre-sessional English course is right for me? (PDF) guide.

English language entry requirements

The minimum English language entry requirements for our pre-sessional courses are set out below.

Extended Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more than 2.0 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and / or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.

Long Pre-sessional English course: YourIELTS Academic* scores are no more than 1.5 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and / or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.

Medium Pre-sessional English course: Your IELTS Academic* scores are no more than 1.0 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and / or speaking.

Short Pre-sessional English course: YourIELTS Academic* scores are no more 0.5 below your academic programme's English language entry requirements overall and/or in one or more skills: reading, writing, listening and or speaking.

Please note: Students with IELTS Academic* scores of below 4.0 overall or in individual skills are not eligible for our courses.

Pre-sessional exit grades

Where academic programmes have entry requirements lower than IELTS 5.5 (eg foundation courses), students will be placed on a pre-sessional that allows them to achieve minimum exit grades of 5.5. equivalent in all skills.

Commitment to study

The Pre-sessional English courses are highly effective and rewarding, but are highly intensive and need a full-time commitment from participants. If you have other commitments during the course such as work, university or family obligations, please let us know before you apply. We will be able to advise you.

Accepted tests and visa information

*Students who need a Tier 4 visa to study on the Pre-sessional English course: You need IELTS Academic for UKVI test results to apply for the Pre-sessional English course. Please make sure you take the right test.

For all other students, we accept a number of other English language qualifications including IELTS Academic and PTE Academic. For details of equivalent scores in other acceptable qualifications the ask course administrator for advice.

IMPORTANT: Joint CAS – 2017 students needing a Tier 4 visa to study at Kingston University

You may be able to apply for a joint CAS which will enable you to apply for one Tier 4 visa to cover both the Pre-sessional English course and your main degree course if:

you have been offered the Medium or Short Pre-sessional English course; and

English language is the only condition on your main course offer and your current English language level is at CEFR B1 level; or you already have an unconditional offer for your main course; and

Please note: postgraduate students may also have to pay a deposit for their main course.

Please be aware if you do not successfully complete the Pre-sessional English course and have a joint CAS:

You will not be able to commence your studies on your main course.

The University's compliance officer will inform the Home Office and your Tier 4 visa will be curtailed.

If you are intending to use a short-term study visa for the Pre-sessional English course, you must check that you will have enough time to return home to apply for a Tier 4 visa before the start of your intended main course. Please seek advice from the International Student Advice Centre before you start the Pre-sessional English course.

Pre-sessional links

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Pre-sessional course accreditation

Our pre-sessional English course is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). This organisation sets rigorous criteria to ensure that courses in English language and study skills for speakers of other languages are of a high standard and provide an excellent quality of service.

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